Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Gers Fans Miss The Bigger Picture

A solid workman-like draw last night against Red Star has put Glasgow Rangers through to the next round of the Champions League. More importantly, the fans appear to have behaved themselves, with apparently no sectarian songs or red-hand/nazi salutes in evidence (although, to be fair, if you were going to choose a city to act the maggot, Belgrade would be one of the last places I'd pick).

Rangers need to be very careful this season, both at home and on the European mainland; in the latter case they are on final warning from UEFA, re the outbreaks of sectarianism which have occured too often from too many Gers fans.

Bearing all this in mind, initially I found this letter from the "Fans' Self Policing Group" encouraging:

Representatives of Rangers fans groups have called for all Bears to drop offensive add-ons to some of our traditional songs in a letter sent to supporters club secretaries. Follow Follow fully supports putting our own house in order.

Commendable stuff, except when you read a bit further down and find that those apparently acceptable "traditional" songs include both The Sash and Derry's Walls...it's just the UVFs, FTPs and "fenian bastards" "add-ons" which are a bit naughty and no longer required.

Just in case you didn't know(!), "The Sash" and "Derry's Walls" are folk-tunes celebrating Protestant victories in battles on the island of Ireland from over 400 years ago; relevance to supporting Scottish Premier League club in 2007, especially when you're trying to prove to the wider world that you're genuine in your fight against sectarianism?

Answers on the back of a postcard please (or my comments box).

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